Saturday, November 19, 2016

Key Chain Mini Purse Tutorial


I was asked by a customer to redesign a small key chain mini purse she had that was very worn and to make it a little larger.  Today I want to share the pattern and how to make this very quick and useful project.


You can click on this photo to save and print out on your own browser for reference and template.  **all seams are 1/4 inch** 


Two main pieces, one pocket piece, one fuseable batt cut to size of main piece, one light weight fuseable interfacing cut for pocket, D-ring, and ribbon.

   
PREP WORK:
Fuse batt to one of the main body pieces, fuse the interfacing to one half of you pocket piece, and loop your ribbon thru the d-ring -  baste the end and where the pencil is, I did 4/5 stitched back and forth to help hold the ring.


Press your pocket in half and stitch the top - gives it strength.  You can use a straight stitch, decorative, hand - this is your project so play.


You can leave your main body straight edge or use the template to cut the curve.  Again, your project, your choice.  Centering, pin the ribbon/d-ring at the bottom of the main piece that has the fuseable.


Now to layer them for stitching.  Place main piece with fuseable batt and ribbon face up, then the pocket, the place second main piece face down on top.  Pin all layers.


I stitch up each side first and then stitch the curve.  This helps to get the curve in place and lock those corners where the will be stress.  DO NOT SEW THE BOTTOM


Now turn your mini purse thru the bottom.  Yes, your ribbon is inside the pocket, but that is what we want.  Press


Do a double row of stitch across the botom.  I go across one way, lift presser foot and swivel that baby around and go back down - then both ends are lock stitched.


Your are done sewing!!  Reach into the pocket and grab the d-ring, pull all thru the pocket and turn the whole piece.  Your seam is inside and no need to hand sew a turning whole.


Use a damp cloth or heavy steam and press your mini.  Options of closures:  buttons with button hole, hand sewn snaps, or clamp snap fasteners.  Again your project , your choice.


A quick project for gifts using up your scraps.  Hope you enjoy.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Help for Hexies


Actually it is Help for Hexie-alics with SARAH, but I need help with this one for sure before I get too much further.  Not sure how to set these or where I am going with them.  I am using a layer cake and pull one blue, beige, and white from the cake - so I could logically make 42 large rosettes.  BUT, I want to set them so they just 'run' amongst themselves.  Does that make sense?  

Think I need to get the graph paper out for this one and play a little.


I have two more baskets prepped - the red and green flowers - to work on for Slow Sunday Stitching.  There will be 18 basket blocks, so I am working this one slow.  Then the patchwork part gets to be played with which will go fast.  Then it will be a slow project again as I want to hand quilt this one.  A quilt that will take me back to my 'roots'.

Today I am Thankful for stitching projects that help me reflect back into my heritage - handwork that my great gran and aunties did so beautifully.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Trunk Full of Quilts


I want to thank Soma of Whims and Fancies for hosting this trunk show.  I was seeing some of my blogging friends' trunk show presentations and thought I should join in again.

 

I was lucky to be chosen by  Henry Glass Fabrics as their October 2016 'Desire to Inspire' quilter and this is one of the quilts I made with the wonderful fabrics they sent me from the line Moose Lodge Cabin.  This so brought back memories of my Dad.



This is the Sulky BOM 2004 Christmas Quilt I made many years ago.  It is a tradition to trim a block/section with more embroidery, trinkets, buttons, applique with the grands.  


 

I designed a quilter's project bag for a local quilt guild for a class earlier this year.  Tuxedo cats on my outer pockets for my tuxie baby and poppies in memory of my great gran.


I was honored to win not only in the size class, but the Judges Award at the spring 2016 Empire Quilt Fest Show.  The 'Cats in My Garden' embroideries were done as a sew along with Red Brolly designs back in 2010 and got 'lost'.  Then once found in 2013, they were patch work pieced into a design and again that sat.  In 2015 I got the borders on and then finally quilted it to be ready for the show.



I like to do miniatures using up the barest of scraps.  This African theme came about from one of our quilt guild's 2015  programs demonstrating several applique techniques and all were used on this small piece.


I had the honor of designing and making four wallhangings for a special presentation by SALT - Schoharie Area Long Term (recovery from Storm Irene 5 years ago) to some  people/businesses who did a lot over the current year in various community services.


I love my plaid pups made during the quilt along with  Sew Fresh Quilts and her Dog Gone Cute pattern.

 

I was in a doll quilt swap for several years and it gave me lots of opportunity to play with blocks on a tiny scale - this was one of my favorites  and so happy it went to a dear friend.

This is just a bit of my work from the Trunk, but a nice mix of big, medium and small.  Be sure to visit all the others who have linked up for the Trunk Show - maybe even join in as well.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Blogaversary Give Away

On Oct 16th, 2010, I started the grand venture of being a quilt blogger.  What a wonderful event it has been over the years.  Blog Hops, Quilt & Stitch Alongs, sharing information and tips, friends around the world.  Yeah, I am a month late, but October got real busy.  AND today is my baby girl's Birthday (not telling how old), so a great day to celebrate.


We are family, a global neighborhood.  So I have a one yard cut of 'Around Town' by Terri Degenkolb of Whimsicla for Red Rooster.  This is folded to show you the number of buildings and shops and fun - so you get about 4 reapeats.


Full of hidden treasures amongst these cute settings.


And candy is one of the pleasures for gifting on a 6th anniversary.


So is iron, but I don't want to send off a bar of that - how about some bikes instead.


And the option to iron is Woof - er, I mean Wood.  But I love the woofies instead.  Who doesn't like a script print.


HA - there is a tree and blossom print, too.  Four half yard cuts of coordinates to go with the neighborhood.

A simple comment is all that is necessary and be sure I have a way to contact you.  Comments will close Sunday 10pm (est) and I'll post the winner following. (will ship overseas)

Today I am thankful for all you wonderful quilt bloggers,
Sewingly Yours,
Sharon